Indianapolis Colts: Team Loses Guard Donald Thomas for Season After Injury

By Eric Smith

Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Indianapolis, IN- The Indianapolis Colts got news that went from bad to worse after today’s 24-20 loss to the Miami Dolphins in Lucas Oil Stadium. After the game Colts head coach Chuck Pagano confirmed to the media that guard Donald Thomas tore his quad muscle and will require season ending surgery.

Thomas becomes the second starter on the offensive side of the ball lost this week joining running back Vick Ballard. Both require season ending surgery which are two costly losses to Indianapolis.

Thomas suffered his injury on the second possession of the day for the Colts. He went down when the Colts were threatening to score and was carted off. His injury is a huge loss to the offensive line as they now only have six healthy linemen heading to next week’s game at the San Francisco 49ers.

What makes it even more of a punch to the gut was Thomas was brought over from the New England Patriots in the offseason to help improve the line. He signed a big deal with Indianapolis but lasted only five quarters.

Colts quarterback Andrew Luck was sacked 41 times in 2012 including at least once in every game. Colts owner Jim Irsay and GM Ryan Grigson knew this area needed to be addressed. They signed Gosder Cherilus and Thomas to help build this line with some veteran presence and beef up in the talent pool.

Now, they must replace Thomas as he will not return until 2014. This could be detrimental to the season.

Eric Smith is the Colts Beat Writer for Rant Sports. He’s covered the team the past four seasons and is recognized as an accredited member of the media by the Colts. Follow him on Twitter @ericsportsguru